Zirconia to platinum assembly using a titanium connector

Abstract

The invention is a component assembly and method of hermetically bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by welding and brazing a component assembly comprised of metal parts, a ceramic part, and an intermediate metal ferrule. The ceramic part is preferably a hollow tube of partially-stabilized zirconia that is brazed to an alignment ferrule that is preferably titanium or a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V. On one end the component assembly is brazed to an end cap for closure. On the other end the alignment ferrule is preferably brazed to a ring that is preferably comprised of a noble metal, such as platinum, iridium, or alloys of platinum and iridium. The ring is then laser welded to an eyelet that is preferably comprised of a noble metal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A component assembly for use in living tissue comprising:
 a ceramic part; 
 at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule that is braze bonded to said ceramic part; 
 a ring comprised of a noble metal that is brazed to said alignment ferrule; 
 said metal alignment ferrule further comprising at least one integral lip that enables alignment of said ceramic part and said ring; and 
 an eyelet comprised of a noble metal that is metallurgically bonded to said ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The component assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an end cap comprised of a noble metal that is metallurgically bonded to said at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule. 
     
     
       3. The component assembly of  claim 1  wherein said noble metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, and their alloys. 
     
     
       4. The component assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule has concentric lips that define a double cup. 
     
     
       5. The component assembly of  claim 1  wherein said ceramic part is comprised of partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal material. 
     
     
       6. A component assembly comprising:
 an implantable miniature device having a ceramic tube adapted to contain electronic components and an alignment ferrule comprised of titanium or its alloys brazed thereto and having means for centering said ceramic tube therein; 
 a noble metal ring brazed to said alignment ferrule; and 
 a noble metal eyelet having alignment means for centering said ring therein. 
 
     
     
       7. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said ceramic tube is comprised of partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal material. 
     
     
       8. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said noble metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, and their alloys. 
     
     
       9. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said ring is laser welded to said eyelet. 
     
     
       10. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said eyelet comprises means for centering said ring, which consists of an alignment tab with an alignment face that contacts said ring. 
     
     
       11. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said component assembly further comprises an end cap that is comprised of a noble metal, said end cap is brazed to said alignment ferrule. 
     
     
       12. The component assembly of  claim 6  wherein said alignment ferrule is coated with iridium.